FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE							             

OSC

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1998					        

(202) 616-2765

TDD (202) 514-1888

 
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION GRANTS AWARDED


	WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Eight non-profit organizations in five states will receive
$640,000 in grants to conduct public education programs to educate workers and employers
about immigration-related employment discrimination, announced the Justice Department
today.

	This discrimination may occur when employers ask some, but not all employees for
verification of work eligibility to treat workers differently because of appearance, language or
accent.

	The grants were awarded by the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related
Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) of the Civil Rights Division to organizations serving both
employers and employees in California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas.  

	"Educating workers, employers and the general public about their rights and
responsibilities under our immigration laws advances our mission to prevent and combat
immigration-related employment discrimination," said Special Counsel John D. Trasviña.  

	"These and other partnerships with community-based and professional organizations
enable us to better serve and inform the public, including victims of discrimination," added
Trasviña.

	The grants, which range from $50,000 to $95,000 will promote anti-discrimination
education and awareness throughout the country and in local communities.  Activities funded
under the grants include workshops, immigrant assistance hotlines and information provided at
neighborhood grocery stores.

	Grant recipients are:

	
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California, Los Angeles

	

	Catholic Charities, Dallas

 
	
Catholic Charities, Houston

 
	
Erie House, Chicago

 
	
Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Miami

 
	
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Miami

 
	
Mexican American Grocers Association, Los Angeles

	

	
Victim Services, New York City

 
	For more information about protections against discrimination under the immigration
laws, call, toll-free 1-800-255-7688, or 202-616-5594 or write to:

			Office of Special Counsel for Immigration

				Related Unfair Employment Practices

			Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice

			P.O. Box 27728

			Washington, D.C.  20038-7728

 
Email: osc.crt@usdoj.gov                				www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/

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